Flu Surveillance — March 7, 2014
DSHS’s latest flu surveillance, for the week ending March 1, classifies the geographic distribution of flu activity in Texas as “regional,” indicating influenza-like illness or institutional outbreaks in at least two but less than half the regions of the state with recent laboratory evidence of influenza in those regions. Influenza laboratory data and influenza-like illness indicators have demonstrated a consistent decrease for the last several weeks; however, ILI intensity is still elevated throughout Texas.
Texas has confirmed 11 pediatric flu deaths this season.
DSHS encourages everyone six months old and older to get a dose of flu vaccine. The vaccine changes each year to protect against the strains of flu researchers expect to be circulating, so people need to be vaccinated for each flu season.
Latest Available DSHS Weekly Flu Surveillance Report
Historical DSHS Flu Surveillance Reports
TexasFlu.org
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West Nile — 2013
DSHS has confirmed 172 human cases of West Nile illness in Texas in 2013, including 13 deaths.
West Nile is a mosquito-borne virus. There are two forms of the illness, West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) and West Nile fever (WN fever). The symptoms of severe infection from West Nile neuroinvasive disease include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. West Nile fever is the milder form of the illness. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.
DSHS reminds Texans to reduce the risk of exposure by eliminating standing water and other mosquito breeding areas; making sure door, porch and window screens are in good condition; and using a repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 when outdoors.
Human West Nile Cases By County for 2013
Human West Nile Cases By County for 2012
Historical case count data
More West Nile data
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